Anneke Cuppen

Anneke Cuppen

Dutch producer Koppert Cress has turned its attention to retail and is targeting UK supermarkets with its unusual cresses.

The company, which produces a wide range of innovative cresses, has been long established as a supplier to the UK foodservice market, but is now approaching UK multiples with retail packs of rock chives, sakura cress and affilla cress.

Koppert Cress’ products are already being sold in Dutch supermarkets next to the 50p salad cress offer, which has made the company realise that consumers throughout Europe need to be educated in the use of different kinds of cress.

Anneke Cuppen, Koppert Cress’ marketing manager for the UK, told FPJ: “We are looking to educate consumers in the same way we have taught our catering customers. We need to let consumers and retailers know that a little of our product goes a long way and they have up to two weeks’ shelf life. Some of the cresses are particularly good for you as well, such as Brocco cress, which has the same nutrients as broccoli.

“Getting into supermarkets is going to be challenging, but we think we will have made process in two years’ time.”